1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
2 ounces red food coloring
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 heaping tablespoons cocoa
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
2 1/4 cups cake flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vinegar

Add vinegar to baking soda; hold over bowl as it foams. Cream shortening, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Make a paste of food coloring and cocoa, then add to the creamed mixture. Add buttermilk with salt and vinegar. Alternately add to above mixture with flour. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes in two 9-inch pans.

Frosting
3 tablespoons flour
1 cup milk
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup butter

Cook flour and milk until thick. Cool in the refrigerator. Cream sugar, butter and vanilla extract until fluffy. Blend creamed mixture (do not beat) with cooled flour mixture. It should be the consistency of oatmeal.